Happy Hump Day, Shit Givers.
I hope you were able to check out and recharge at some point over the last week in whichever way works best for you. My version this week was spending far too much time reading hot takes on Emerald Fennell’s new adaptation (question mark?) of Wuthering Heights. People really don’t play about Emily Brontë.
Anyway, the point is: joy where you can find it, action when it counts. You’re here, so let’s make it count.
Let’s go.
— Willow
Giphy
Protect your peace (starting with your data)
Protecting your data from being feasted on by the tech oligarchs may feel futile at this point in the timeline, but there are actually a lot of things you can do to at least make it harder for them, which in 2026, feels like a win, so let’s do it:
Knowledge is power! Learn about the surveillance tech law enforcement is using in your community. The Electronic Frontier Foundation’s Atlas of Surveillance maps out every surveillance tool from facial recognition to license plate readers. (go)
EFF’s Surveillance Self-Defense toolkit is also a great resource to get the basics of digital security, especially if you’re an activist, journalist, a member of the LGBTQ+ community, and more. (go)
Next, use The Markup’s Blacklight tool to enter any website and reveal its user-tracking tech and who’s getting your data. (go)
You can also sign up for Mozilla Monitor to get notified when your data has been part of a breach, and then remove it from data broker websites that are selling it for profit. (go)
Virginia is for lovers
Especially for lovers of things like universal school meals, affordable housing, cheaper and cleaner energy, living wages, and stronger health care infrastructure. Or at least it could be, if we pass these key bills:
HB356 allows localities to adopt more tools to meet local housing needs instead of a one-size-fits-all approach. Housing needs and challenges vary community to community, and localities need to be able to respond locally. (go)
HB895 would expand energy storage targets for utility companies, which helps stabilize bills and the grid. (go)
HB96 ensures every public school student can receive breakfast at no cost, removing barriers to learning and reducing hunger. (go)
HB1 would raise Virginia’s minimum wage to $15, to help workers keep up with expenses, thus offering stability to workers and businesses. (go)
HB815 strengthens Virginia’s healthcare workforce by aligning incentive programs with real workforce needs. More caregivers = better access to care. It’s simple. (go)
🔎 Find more Virginia bills right here. 👈
Reminder: this is our first push of state-level Be Heard actions, with a focus on Virginia for now. If you want your state on board, reply to this email.
Stuff you probably need to buy, but won’t go directly into the Great Pacific Garbage Patch
Obviously the key to less waste is just to buy less stuff. But there’s always going to be consumer goods that we do need to buy, so we might as well buy the most sustainable option.
Start here:
Who Gives A Crap saves millions of trees that are cut down for toilet paper every day, with TP (plus paper towel, tissues, and more) made out of recycled fibers or bamboo. Bonus: they donate 50% of their profits in the developing world. (go)
Participate in Casetify’s phone-case recycling program. When you send in your old case (any brand!), you get a discount on your next purchase and you help them meet their goal to eliminate all plastic from their supply chain by 2030. (go)
And then you can use your fancy, new, sustainable phone case to protect your sustainable smartphone, made with recycled and responsibly sourced materials, from Fairphone. (go)
Get the rest of your electronics — power banks, cords, and so on — from Nimble. All of their tech products are produced from sustainable materials, and they offer free e-waste recycling. (go)
If you’re in the market to refurnish your home, you can find beautiful restored antique and vintage pieces at Rejuvenation. (go)
And another thing!
Journalism is essential to a functioning democracy, and we need so much more of it. The vast majority of Americans don’t pay for the news, and don’t think they need to, and to some degree, I get it — access to information shouldn’t be a privilege. But that’s actually all the more reason to support good journalism if you can.
Here are some of our favorite independent outlets you can throw a few bucks a month at:
Capital B News — in-depth journalism that centers Black voices and partners with the communities they report on. (go)
Civil Eats — fair, accurate, accessible journalism that broadens and deepens the conversation around food and agriculture. (go)
Grist — an independent, non-profit outlet dedicated to covering climate, climate justice, and solutions. (go)
ProPublica — moral-driven, investigative journalism that protects public interests and consistently holds power to account. (go)
The 19th — diverse reporting on gender, politics, and policy. We love their work so much. (go)
🔎 Find more amazing outlets to support right here. 👈
That’s it for this week.
Thank you — as always — for giving a shit.
— Willow
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